Cover Story
Second-in-command Tim Covello makes a bid for SLO County District Attorney
“Junkyard Dog” is a term usually reserved for tenacious defense attorneys, but it could also work in a positive way for current Assistant D.A. Tim Covello (pictured here in a judge-mandated media pool photo by a Tribune photographer during the Dystiny Myers murder trial). As the DA’s Office’s felony trial team leader, he’s successfully prosecuted…
Bread, business, and branding: A New Times Q & A with ex-NFL star Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson—a star NFL wide receiver for 11 years and an ESPN football analyst for the seven years since—is anything but camera shy. Ever since his days of catching footballs waned, Johnson’s new business has been, well, business. On Dec. 5, Johnson was in Arroyo Grande to celebrate the opening of a new drive-thru Panera…
Who’s your favorite reindeer?
Rose Shrewsbury Bartender “I don’t know much about any of the reindeer other than Rudolph.” Jon Cobb Student “I think Prancer.” Casey West Cook “I would go with Comet.” Travis Negrete Student “Definitely Prancer. He makes me think of a rabbit or something.”
D.A. 2015? The county’s next top prosecutor won’t take over for a year, but Dan Dow already has more than half the office behind him
When San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Gerry Shea—who’s been head of the office for more than 15 years, the only D.A. to last that long in the last half century—announced he won’t seek re-election in 2014, it caught many people familiar with the office off guard. The same day, Dan Dow, a deputy D.A.…
American Pie
I’ve always favored mincemeat pies over the holidays, but this year I’m thinking of making a change. I don’t hold with “change” or “progress” or “evolution,” but my beloved mincemeat pies announced that this holiday season will be their last. They’re retiring in order to spend more time with their family. I’m no sucker. I…
Former rapper Everlast brings his acoustic blues sound to SLO Brew
I came late to the Everlast party. Yes, I was aware of the rap act House of Pain and their 1992 hit “Jump Around,” but it wasn’t until Everlast (aka—Whitey Ford; née Erik Francis Schrody) released his second solo album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998) that I became a fan (His first solo album,…
SLOMA screens David Hockney doc, then takes a Hockney field trip
Two ways to meet David Hockney (sort of) Two upcoming San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) events offer a chance to get better acquainted with the work of celebrated artist David Hockney. On Monday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m., SLOMA will screen Bruno Wollheim’s 2009 documentary David Hockney: A Bigger Picture, a never-before-seen look…
Stompin’ at the Spanos: An evening with Cal Poly’s jazz bands
While some Cal Poly students dubiously celebrate American history of Colonial Bro-ing and Nava-Hoing, the students in Professor Paul Rinzler’s jazz program have found a more swingin’ way to explore this country’s culture. It’s Friday, Dec. 6, a chilly night at the Spanos Theatre on the Cal Poly campus, and two big bands and two…
Kevin Harris taps into the nuances of Crumpet in David Sedaris’ ‘Santaland Diaries’
My first job was my worst job—I worked at McDonald’s for two weeks when I was 17, and the novelty of having a job got me through the first week.” And so SLO Little Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Kevin Harris, playing Crumpet the elf in The Santaland Diaries, recounts his most dire job. “In the…
Warm up your day with a little hot chocolate
All the lights are hung along the roof, pets are curled up by your feet, and due to the significant drop in weather, we’re all trying to find ways to keep warm. Light the fireplace, turn on the heaters, get the spare blankets out, and make your favorite hot winter drink. It’s the time of…
Argyle 2011 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley and Laetitia Brut Rosé Non-vintage Arroyo Grande Valley
Argyle 2011 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley This Oregon grown and produced wine offers impressive quality at a low price. I have long known the brand, and like any Central Coast winery it’s not my favorite every year. So I was a tad skeptical when I bought the first bottle for a test run. Happily, I…
Raise a glass to the new Shell Beach Brewhouse
I’m always talking to my fellow regulars at the Arroyo Grande Kennedy Club Fitness about restaurants, food, wine, and beer, and most lament that I’m making them hungry when they’re trying to work out. I know. I make myself hungry. Yet everybody who asks me about the new Shell Beach Brewhouse wants to know if…
Happy trailers: Tinker Tin Trailer Co. offers boutique hotel rooms on wheels
Whether you’re looking to plan a retro-style campout with some friends and an ice box full of cold ones, or you’re trying to put together a caravan for your traveling carnival-themed wedding, a new vintage trailer company has got you covered. Tinker Tin Trailer Co. offers rentals of traveler trailers for camping, weddings, parties, and…
Cougars & Mustangs: Finals
… And in the final stage of this star’s life, we observe how it begins producing iron at its core … *yawn* … Ingredients include sugar, cocoa powder, whole milk powder, chocolate liquor … Huh? What? Oh, sorry. Must have dozed off in the middle of studying for a class. Of course, you’ve all been…
Atascadero denies a gravel mine extension
After a lot of letters and two years of back and forth between a gravel miner and the city of Atascadero, Glenn Millhollin has struck bureaucratic bedrock. On Dec. 10, the Atascadero City Council denied an appeal from Millhollin to extend an expired conditional use permit for the operation of his 7.6-acre gravel and base…
Supes push Dana Adobe’s expansion forward
After an extensive and lengthy vetting process, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors finally gave the thumbs-up to a plan that would develop and expand the historic Dana Adobe in Nipomo. Officially, the board unanimously decided to approve the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the project and change several land-use designations to…
Groups find middle ground for Paso water basin governance
In recent months, two groups have tackled the ailing Paso Robles Groundwater Basin with separate and differing proposals aimed at overseeing future water use. But earlier this month, those groups agreed to join forces for a single groundwater management structure proposal. Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions (PRAAGS)—made up mainly of viticulturalists—and PRO Water…
Agents take pounds of heroin off of local streets
Weeks after New Times ran a cover story about the rise in popularity of heroin use in San Luis Obispo County, local law enforcement agents—with help from a number of federal agencies—took down an alleged drug ring they claim is responsible for a large portion of the drug available locally, and with “direct” ties to…
A former SLOPD officer will do 18 months
A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer, whose cases resulted in a number of questionable arrests and prosecutions—if not always convictions—has had his day in court, and now he’s going to serve time. The result of his conviction on a federal extortion charge: 18 months—far less of a punishment than those dealt to some of…
R.I.P.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our friend, Common Sense, after a long period of failing health. Common was the son of Logic and Reason, both of whom predeceased him. His brother, Horse, was well known in rural communities. Common passed away from general malaise. He has and had several aunts, uncles,…
Tongue in cheek
I want to extend a giant thank you to the young folks (ages 26 to 39) in our community who overwhelmingly supported and voted for Barack Obama. You see, his signature program, Obamacare, is going to be of great benefit to me. I fall in the age category defined by Obamacare as the old and…
Like three giant telescopes …
Since stars can be seen during daylight hours when observed from the bottom of a chimney or well, perhaps Morro Bay’s decommissioned stacks could be utilized as part of an observatory. If people wish them to remain, it would be good to give them a purpose, and an observatory would be educational—a wonderful place for…
Need more workforce housing? Stop the home-stays!
“With investors grabbing up foreclosed properties in San Luis Obispo,” reads your recent cover story’s subhead, “options for folks looking for a place to live are shrinking.” (“How foreclosures have changed us,” Nov. 14.) Right. Just ask the SLO City Council—they’ll tell you we need, need, need more workforce housing! So what’s their latest contribution…
Lax parents are the problem
I have never written to a paper nor commented on articles, as much as I have thought about it. I have been an avid reader of New Times since moving back to my hometown 11 years ago. Although the rag leans to the right, it does a decent job of showing both sides. Since my…
Clubs 12/12/13
Goin South … THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. CUVEE BISTRO AND CHAMPAGNE BAR: 550 1st St., Avila Beach, 595-2245. Live music Thurs. and Sat. 6-9pm. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the…
